Concord University adapts to new campus carry law

ATHENS, WV (WVNS) – Concord University is preparing a little differently for the new school year.

The new Campus Self-Defense Act that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature is forcing many universities like Concord University to thoroughly consider how they will accommodate this new law.

From athletics to the classroom to the cafeteria, everything must be taken into account for the new law.

“We have been working with a task force on campus, as well as many attorneys throughout different schools in West Virginia have created a task force, so that we can make sure the implementation of this on our campuses is similar across the board. Almost all the schools, including Concord have developed a board of governor’s policy called ‘Deadly Weapons and Dangerous Objects’ to outline the parameters of the campus carry law,” explained Concord Chief Risk Management Officer Chelsey Rowe.

There will be certain areas at Concord where firearms are still prohibited, such as their daycare, labs, certain athletic events, and dorm rooms.

As part of the statute, if they are prohibiting firearms on certain spots on campus, the university must provide a place for the students to store their weapons.

Students will be allowed to purchase safes in Wilson Residence Hall to store their firearms.

Rowe said students can also store their firearms in their vehicles.

She also told 59News that local law enforcement will be instrumental to make for a smooth transition.

“We have talked with them on many occasions to make sure that we handle these on a case-to-case basis, because there might be occasions where someone who has not concealed carried, or has not carried a concealed weapon before, has decided to now carry and are not sure how to do that properly,” said Rowe.

To learn more about Concord’s campus carry rulings, visit their website.

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